White flag raised for club hurling’s most elite championship

STEPHEN GLENNON

IT may sound like blowing the Galway trumpet but, most will agree, when the small ball is launched into that air-tight vacuum at the feet of the respective midfield pairings this weekend, it will signal that the country’s most decorated and highly regarded senior hurling club championship – and all the excitement that goes with it – is firmly underway once again.

In what many believe to be the most open of county championships in years, it’s notable that three of the top five contenders – reigning champions St. Thomas’, 2010 victors Clarinbridge and three-time winners Portumna – have won All-Ireland club titles in the last five years while two of the remaining challengers, Gort and Loughrea, have claimed the County Cup in the last eight years.

There are also a number of dark horses in the chasing pack and these include 2012 semi-finalists Turloughmore, Mullagh, Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry, former All-Ireland winners Sarsfields and last year’s U-21 victors Craughwell. It all adds to the intrigue of the 2013 competition and makes for interesting fare.

In the intermediate championship, 2012 finalists Ahascragh/Fohenagh have a difficult assignment against Michael Gallagher’s Ballinderreen in Loughrea on Saturday (6:30pm) while Meelick/Eyrecourt, now under the management of David Kelly, should get off to a winning start against Gort’s second string in Craughwell on Sunday (6:30pm).

Others strongly fancied to secure opening round victories in the intermediate championship are Oranmore/Maree, Rahoon/Newcastle, Killimor and Kilnadeema/Leitrim. (See fixtures for details).

SATURDAY
Mullagh v Beagh
(Loughrea, 5pm)
Beagh manager Brendan Gantley must plan for this difficult championship opener without the services of lively sharpshooter Padraig Landers, who is serving in the Lebanon. Already, Eamonn Skehill will miss the year through injury while PJ McAllen (shoulder) and Damien Landers (ankle) look set to miss the first round tie. Rory Gantley captains the South Galway outfit.

For Mullagh’s part, full-back Alan Gaynor (ankle), wing-back Alan Whyte (hand) and Donal Reilly (thumb) are all sidelined at present through injury. Forwards Damien Monaghan and Craig Finnerty both nurse dead legs but are expected to be fit for selection.

Given the absentees on both sides – and the close nature of last year’s contest, a draw – this is a difficult one to call but with David Glennon in such sparkling form at the moment, he could and should be the match winner for Mullagh, who are managed by Kevin Coen and captained by Finian Coone. Verdict: Mullagh.

Last meeting: 2012 (Group) Beagh 1-16, Mullagh 3-10.
Match odds: Mullagh 8/13, draw 8/1, Beagh 6/4.

Kiltormer v Tynagh/
Abbey-Duniry
(Duggan Park,
Ballinasloe 5pm)
Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry have two major injury worries in versatile duo Michael Dervan (hand) and Paul Gordon (foot) while two of the side’s elder statesmen, goalkeeper Kevin Devine and former Galway star Kevin Broderick, have not returned to the squad as of yet due to family commitments.

However, they can call on a number of the U-21 side which has reached the upcoming county championship ‘A’ final, including custodian Mike Fahy, the classy Paul Killeen, Kevin Moloney, Padraig Breheny and Shane Moloney.

For Kiltormer manager Brian Whelehan and selectors Tony Hough and Mike Coleman, full-back Shane Staunton (groin) is a long term concern while Micheal Greaney is struggling with a calf injury. Added to this, wing-back Quentin Lynch and corner forward Enda Fenton have left for London.

However, Shane Tierney, Justin Donnelly, David Hayes, Jason Kilkenny, Conor Ryan, Keith Kilkenny and Kevin McKeigue still form a strong nucleus within the squad. Verdict: Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry.
Last meeting: 2011 (Group) Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry 0-22, Kiltormer 1-10.

Match odds: Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry 1/5, draw 10/1, Kiltormer 4/1.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.